Inflatable striking member and projectile dispensing receptacle

ABSTRACT

A game device formed of inflatable plastic or the like having a projectile receiving receptacle supported by an upper surface of the structure, the parts being so arranged and constructed that any projectiles within the receptacle will be ejected from said receptacle when a portion of the inflatable structure receives a blow remote from the receptacle.

United States Patent 1191 Minnick Mar. 11, 1975 1 INFLATABLE STRIKING MEMBER AND PROJECTILE DISPENSING RECEPTACLE [76] Inventor: George D. Minnick, 468 Manor St.,

Lancaster, Pa. 17603 [22] Filed: Dec. 26, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 428,018

[52] US. Cl 273/95 R, 273/1021 G, 124/11, 124/4, 124/41, 46/145 [51] Int. Cl A63b 71/02 [58] FieldofSearch .273/ 102.1 R, 102.1 c, 102.1 o, 273/102 R, 95 R; 124/41, 1, 11 R, 4; 46/145 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,506,171 8/1924 Filberg 124/4 1,521,510 12/1924 Doughty 124/11 R 2,681,055 6/1954 Gowland 124/11 R Benkoe 124/11 R 3,236,521 2/1966 Knott 124/1 3,513,819 5/1970 Phillips 124/11 3,565,432 2/1971 Reiner 124/4 3,744,472 7/1973 ORyan 124/1 3,788,643 1/1974 Morrison 124/1 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John C. Thompson [57] ABSTRACT A game device formed of inflatable plastic or the like having a projectile receiving receptacle supported by an upper surface of the structure, the parts being so arranged and constructed that any projectiles within the receptacle will be ejected from said receptacle when a portion of the inflatable structure receives a blow remote from the receptacle.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTH] MARI 1 i975 SHEEI I [If 2 INFLATABLE STRIKING MEMBER AND PROJECTILE DISPENSING RECEPTACLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an inflatable structure having a projectile receiving receptable mounted thereon in such a manner that when said inflatable structure is struck that any projectiles disposed within said receptacle are projected upwardly into the air.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a game device including an inflatable structure in which a projectile receiving receptacle is supported by the upper surfaceof the structure, the projectile receiving receptacle being recessed in said structure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable structure having a recessed projectile receiving receptacle in which the projectiles may be fed into said receptacle through a generally cylindrical member which extends from an opening in one side of said receptacle to a portion of the inflatable structure remote from said receptacle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a game wherein a plurality of balls are projected into the air by striking an inflatable structure which carries a projectile receiving receptacle, it being the object of the game to catch the balls as they are projected into the air.

These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description in which preferred forms of the present invention are illustrated.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first modification of the game device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the plane indi cated at AA in FIG. 1 showing a second modification of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the modification of FIG. 2 after the inflatable structure has been impacted to project a plurality of projectiles upwardly into the air.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the structure shown in FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The game device of the present invention includes an inflatable structure indicated generally at 10. The inflatable structure is formed of flexible sheet material of vinyl plastic or the like. The inflatable structure is common to the various modifications shown in the drawings and bears the same reference numerals. The inflatable structure is formed in the shape of an alligator as can 2v best be seen from FIG. 1, however,it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that the inflatable structure need not be in the form of an alligator, but could be in the form of other animals, in the form of inanimate objects, or be of an abstract shape.

The inflatable structure 10 includes an upper surface I2 and a lower surface 14. The surfaces are joined together along line 16. The portions of the inflatable structure shown in section in FIGS. 2 through 6 are formed from relatively thin sheet material and the actual thickness of the material is considerably less than the section lines would indicate.

The alligator shown in the drawings isprovided with front and rear legs, 18 and 20, respectively. (These legs have been omitted in FIGS. 4 and 5 for purposes of clarity.) The alligator is also provided with a forwardly extending snout portion indicated generally at 22 and a rearwardly extending tail portion indicated generally at 24. A valve 26 is mounted on the tail portion and is usable to inflate the structure 10. The alligator is also provided with a portion 28 on its upper surface 12 which is used to represent eyes 30 as can best be seen from FIG. 6.

The lower surface 14 has a first portion indicated by the bracket 32 which normally supports the inflatable structure 10 on the surface of the ground, indicated by the line S, and the lower surface also has a second portion indicated by the bracket 34. Portion 34 extends away from the first portion at an angle to the horizontal as can best be seen from FIGS. 2 through 5. The two portions 32 and 34 intersect at 36.

According to the principles of the present invention a projectile receiving receptacle, indicated generally at R in the various Figures, is mounted upon a first portion of the upper surface 12. The parts are so arranged and constructed that when a second portion of the upper surface receives a blow any projectiles 38 within the receptacle R will be ejected, the second portion being remote from the first portion which supports the receptacle R, preferable being above the second portion 34 of the lower surface. Thus, when the upper surface of the snout portion is struck sharply by the hand of a player, as indicated by the arrow 40 in FIG. 3, the inflatable structure will rock about point 36 until the forward end of the snout contacts the ground. As the structure 10 rocks about the point 36 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3 the receptacle R will be moved upwardly. It should also be noted that the receptacle R receives additional upward impetus as the snout portion is compressed when it is struck, the air normally entrapped within the snout portion moving to other portions of the inflatable structure, causing these portions to expand. When the forward end of the snout 22 contacts the ground additional upward movement of the receptacle will be retarded. However, any projectiles within the receptacle will continue to move upwardly and outwardly of the receptacle.

A game may be played by placing balls 38 or the like in the projectile receiving receptacle, striking the alligator on the snout to cause the balls to be ejected. and attempting to catch the ejected balls. According to the principles ofa preferred game which is played with this game device, balls bearing differing numbers are placed in the receptacle. A plurality of players stand about the inflatable structure, and one of the players then strikes the alligator on the snout causing the balls to be ejected from the receptacle R. The players try to catch the balls as they are ejected, and the player who catches the balls with the highest number total wins the game.

In the various modifications shown in the drawings the projectile receiving receptacle takes differing forms. In the modification shown in FIG. 1 the receptacle R is a rigid cup-like structure 42 and is supported on the upper surface of the inflatable structure by securing the lower edge of the structure 42 to the upper surface 12 by glueing or the like.

In FIG. 2 a somewhat different modification of the game device is shown and in this modification the receptacle, herein indicated at 44, is rigid and is supported by the upper surface of the inflatable structure adjacent the upper edge of the receptacle. The game played with the modification shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is substantially identical with the game played with the modification shown in FIG. 1, and in the modifications shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 the balls 38 are placed into the receptacle R through the upper opening of the receptacle.

In the modifications shown in FIGS. 4 through 6 the balls may be placed into the receptacle through an opening in the side of the receptacle, the balls being fed into the opening by means ofcylindrical members, indicated generally at C, which extend to a portion of the inflatable structure remote from the receptacle. Thus, the balls could be fed into the mouth of the alligator and then ejected from the cup by striking the alligator on the snout.

In the third modification shown in FIG. 4 a rigid cup 50 is supported at its upper edge 52 on a first portion of the upper surface 12. The rigid receptacle 50 is provided with an opening 54 in one side which receives one end of the cylindrical member C. In this embodiment the cylindrical member C is in the form of a substantially rigid tube 56. The other end of the rigid hollow generally cylindrical member 56 is open to the exterior of the inflatable structure at a point remote from the projectile receiving receptacle, and when used with an inflatable structure in the form of an alligator the opening 58 of the tube 56 which receives the balls is disposed in the location of the mouth of the alligator.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 a functionally equivalent embodiment to that shown in FIG. 4 is illustrated. However, the structure is formed in a somewhat different manner. Thus, the receptacle and generally cylindrical tubular member C are formed of vinyl sheeting or similar flexible or pliable material. The receptacle is formed of a tubular member 62 supported at its upper edge 64 and its lower edge 66 by the upper and lower surfaces 12 and 14. A partition member 68 extends across the generally tubular member 62 to form the receptacle R above the partition 68 and within that portion of the generally tubular member disposed above the partition 68. The tubular member is provided with an opening indicated at 70 in one side, the opening 70 being in communication with a generally cylindrical member, indicated generally at 72. The generally cylindrical member 72 corresponds functionally to the generally cylindrical member 56 shown In FIG. 4. However, the generally cylindrical member 72 is formed by spaced apart tubes 74 and 76, which are made of vinyl sheets or the like, the tubes forming an enclosed air space between them. Air may be introduced into the air space between the members 74 and 76 by means of a valve 78, the air introduced into the spaces being at a slightly greater pressure than the air in the remainder of the structure so that when the remainder of the structure is inflated by introducing air into the valve 26 the tubular member 72 will not be compressed.

While various preferred modifications have been shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the particular details shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the broader aspects of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A game device comprising:

an inflatable structure having upper and lower surfaces which are spaced apart when said structure is inflated, the upper surface having spaced apart first and second portions, said lower surface being adapted to support the inflatable structure upon a generally horizontal surface;

a projectile receiving receptacle open at one end and closed at the other end;

a plurality of projectiles mounted within said receptacle; and

means mounting the projectile receiving receptacle upon the first portion of the upper surface of said structure with the open end of said receptacle being disposed above the closed end when said lower surface is supporting the inflatable structure upon a generally horizontal surface so that when the second portion of the upper surface of said structure receives a blow the receptacle will be moved upwardly to eject the projectiles which are in said receptacle.

2. The game device as set forth in claim I wherein said receptacle is rigid and is supported by the upper surface of the inflatable structure adjacent the lower edge of the receptacle.

3. The game device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is recessed within said structure, the upper edge of said receptacle being contiguous with the upper surface.

4. A game device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said receptacle is rigid and is supported solely by the upper surface of the inflatable structure adjacent the upper edge of the receptacle.

5. The game device set forth in claim 4 wherein said receptacle is provided with an opening to one side and further characterized by the provision of a rigid generally cylindrical member having one open end secured to the opening in said receptacle and having the other open end secured to the exterior of said structure at a point remote from said receptacle.

6. The game device set forth in claim 3 wherein said receptacle is flexible, and further characterized by the provision of means which extend to the lower surface of said inflatable structure to maintain said receptacle within said inflatable structure.

7. The game device set forth in claim 3 wherein said receptacle is formed from a tubular member which extends from an opening in the upper surface to the lower surface, said tubular member being provided with a partition between the ends to form the receptacle between the partition and that portion of the tubular member which is disposed above the partition.

8. The game device set forth in claim 7 wherein said tubular member is provided with an opening in one side above said partition, and further characterized by the provision of a generally cylindrical member having one end secured about said opening and another end open to the exterior of said inflatable structure at a location remote from said tubular member, the parts being so arranged and constructed that projectiles may be fed 5 into said tubular member above the partition by inserting them into the open portion of the cylindrical member at the portion remote from the tubular member.

9. The game device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cylindrical member is formed of inflatable mate- 1 rial.

10. A game device comprising:

an inflatable structure having upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface having spaced apart first and second portions, said lower surface having a first portion which normally supports the inflatable structure in a first plane and a second portion which extends away from the first portion at an angle to said first portion,

a projectile receiving receptacle, and means mounting the projectile receiving receptacle upon the first portion of the upper surface of said structure at a point remote from the intersection of the first and second portions of said lower surface, and second portion of the upper surface being disposed above the second portion of the lower surface, the parts being so arranged and constructed that when the second portion of the upper surface receives a blow the structure will pivot about the intersection of the first and second portions of the lower surface to move the receptacle upwardly and cause any projectiles within the receptacle to be projected upwardly. 

1. A game device comprising: an inflatable structure having upper and lower surfaces which are spaced apart when said structure is inflated, the upper surface having spaced apart first and second portions, said lower surFace being adapted to support the inflatable structure upon a generally horizontal surface; a projectile receiving receptacle open at one end and closed at the other end; a plurality of projectiles mounted within said receptacle; and means mounting the projectile receiving receptacle upon the first portion of the upper surface of said structure with the open end of said receptacle being disposed above the closed end when said lower surface is supporting the inflatable structure upon a generally horizontal surface so that when the second portion of the upper surface of said structure receives a blow the receptacle will be moved upwardly to eject the projectiles which are in said receptacle.
 2. The game device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is rigid and is supported by the upper surface of the inflatable structure adjacent the lower edge of the receptacle.
 3. The game device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is recessed within said structure, the upper edge of said receptacle being contiguous with the upper surface.
 4. A game device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said receptacle is rigid and is supported solely by the upper surface of the inflatable structure adjacent the upper edge of the receptacle.
 5. The game device set forth in claim 4 wherein said receptacle is provided with an opening to one side and further characterized by the provision of a rigid generally cylindrical member having one open end secured to the opening in said receptacle and having the other open end secured to the exterior of said structure at a point remote from said receptacle.
 6. The game device set forth in claim 3 wherein said receptacle is flexible, and further characterized by the provision of means which extend to the lower surface of said inflatable structure to maintain said receptacle within said inflatable structure.
 7. The game device set forth in claim 3 wherein said receptacle is formed from a tubular member which extends from an opening in the upper surface to the lower surface, said tubular member being provided with a partition between the ends to form the receptacle between the partition and that portion of the tubular member which is disposed above the partition.
 8. The game device set forth in claim 7 wherein said tubular member is provided with an opening in one side above said partition, and further characterized by the provision of a generally cylindrical member having one end secured about said opening and another end open to the exterior of said inflatable structure at a location remote from said tubular member, the parts being so arranged and constructed that projectiles may be fed into said tubular member above the partition by inserting them into the open portion of the cylindrical member at the portion remote from the tubular member.
 9. The game device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cylindrical member is formed of inflatable material.
 10. A game device comprising: an inflatable structure having upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface having spaced apart first and second portions, said lower surface having a first portion which normally supports the inflatable structure in a first plane and a second portion which extends away from the first portion at an angle to said first portion, a projectile receiving receptacle, and means mounting the projectile receiving receptacle upon the first portion of the upper surface of said structure at a point remote from the intersection of the first and second portions of said lower surface, and second portion of the upper surface being disposed above the second portion of the lower surface, the parts being so arranged and constructed that when the second portion of the upper surface receives a blow the structure will pivot about the intersection of the first and second portions of the lower surface to move the receptacle upwardly and cause any projectiles within the receptacle to be projected upwardly. 